MONICA SELES, the four-time Australian Open champion will not defend her title in Melbourne next week because of a broken finger.
Seles broke her right ring finger in two places - the finger tip and the knuckle - while warming up for an exhibition tournament last month and has been unable to play since December 4th. The results of Xrays taken last Friday ruled out whatever chance she had of playing.
Seles won her fourth Australian Open title last year, bringing her incredible match record in the event to a perfect 28-0.
She also won the Australian Open in 1991, 1992 and 1993 before missing the event the next two years after being stabbed during a tournament in Hamburg in April of 1993.
"I want so much to return to Australia, where I have so many happy memories and good friends," Seles said. "All I can do is look forward to 1998 with great anticipation."
Meanwhile, the big-serving seventh seed Greg Rusedski of Britain became the first casualty of the New Zealand Open Championships in Auckland yesterday when he fell 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to Wimbledon quarter-finalist Alex Radulescu of Germany on the opening day.
Canadian-born Rusedski ranked 47th in the world and recognised as the fastest server in the game, could not adjust to the strong swirling winds which swept the main court.
He was not the only one to suffer, with the only New Zealander on court yesterday Alistair Hunt, also struggling as he went down to Dane Kenneth Carlsen in three sets, 4-6 6-1 6-3.
